Density altitude and sight tapes

Joined
Jan 14, 2019
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For those that have been following shoot 2 hunt / form, they talked about using density altitude as the only variable for air density in a ballistic calculator. I have been using this the past year or so with good success with a rifle.

Has anyone used this same concept for archery sight tapes? I don't have much experience shooting at differnt altitudes. Been shooting all summer at 5k elevation, ~75 degrees, ends up around 7kDA , comfortable with broad heads at 80.

Heading to Alaska this fall, right around sea level, depending on temps could be near 0 DA. I plan on buying a cheap atchery target when I land, though trying to get an idea how off my sight tape could be at 80.
 

longrange13

Lil-Rokslider
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Jun 25, 2023
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This is off topic from archery, but what apps do you use with density altitude? I’m trying to figure out how to use DA, I don’t see it as an option in most ballistic apps.
 

ndfb35

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 9, 2020
Messages
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Location
Montana
Precision Cut Archery is what folks seem to using now a days. I live and shoot around 2000' and shooting at between 6000 and 7000 I have no issues with that tape. If I go to 9000' then the tape ends up being hot and adjustments need to be made.
 

Marble

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May 29, 2019
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This is off topic from archery, but what apps do you use with density altitude? I’m trying to figure out how to use DA, I don’t see it as an option in most ballistic apps.
You can just Google density altitude and find solutions for it. I use it for racing. Temperature, pressure and water vapor all get together to create it.

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Marble

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May 29, 2019
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This is off topic from archery, but what apps do you use with density altitude? I’m trying to figure out how to use DA, I don’t see it as an option in most ballistic apps.
All you'll need to do is shoot your bow when you get there. If there is a change, it will be minor. Generally, it's an inch or 2, up or down, depending on the change in weather or altitude.

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Joined
Dec 16, 2021
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I sighted in in western WA, at 400’ elevation, then moved to ID and at 5000’ my sight take was hitting high. At 20 yards i was shooting 3” higher than in WA. Im shooting a 440 grn arrow at 290fps. Your vane configuration and drag will make a difference on how it responds to air density, so its hard to calculate that. You will need to just afjust your sight when you get there. You should be able to move your sight to where your 20 is hitting center again, then while keeping the sight in the right spot, move the pin indicator on your tape to match up with your 20 again… should still be pretty close.
 

180ls1

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I sighted in in western WA, at 400’ elevation, then moved to ID and at 5000’ my sight take was hitting high. At 20 yards i was shooting 3” higher than in WA. Im shooting a 440 grn arrow at 290fps. Your vane configuration and drag will make a difference on how it responds to air density, so its hard to calculate that. You will need to just afjust your sight when you get there. You should be able to move your sight to where your 20 is hitting center again, then while keeping the sight in the right spot, move the pin indicator on your tape to match up with your 20 again… should still be pretty close.

Something else was off for it to shift 3" at 20.
 
OP
sickles107
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Something else was off for it to shift 3" at 20.


That's what i was thinking too. Regardless of DA, zero at 100 with a rifle and zero with a bow at 20 shouldn't change. It's only variance of air density causing more or less drag to change impact at distance, measurable at 500 with rifle or 80 with bow.
 

jbelz

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Winds
Get marks whenever you change altitude significantly and go from there. A tape is only as good as your marks.
 

180ls1

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That's what i was thinking too. Regardless of DA, zero at 100 with a rifle and zero with a bow at 20 shouldn't change. It's only variance of air density causing more or less drag to change impact at distance, measurable at 500 with rifle or 80 with bow.

Yeah, I think the increased drag from the broadhead approximately offsets the less drag of the thinner air. At least within normal range, like you referenced.
 
Joined
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I just bought Precision cut for the year. I'm doing up a new site tape this week and i'll do a "projected" tape for when I'm out west later this year.

I live at 250-300' elevation and 50-80% humidity and hunting out west I'll be between 5k and 8K at 0-5% humidity, so I'll see what the difference comes out to
 

dkime

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Feb 25, 2015
Messages
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For those that have been following shoot 2 hunt / form, they talked about using density altitude as the only variable for air density in a ballistic calculator. I have been using this the past year or so with good success with a rifle.

Has anyone used this same concept for archery sight tapes? I don't have much experience shooting at differnt altitudes. Been shooting all summer at 5k elevation, ~75 degrees, ends up around 7kDA , comfortable with broad heads at 80.

Heading to Alaska this fall, right around sea level, depending on temps could be near 0 DA. I plan on buying a cheap atchery target when I land, though trying to get an idea how off my sight tape could be at 80.

I have lived, hunted, and travelled across this country. From the far reaches of Alaska to 12,000 feet and all the way to hunting in the gulf. I don’t know for sure but this has never been a thought that has crossed the mind of the animals I’ve brought home.


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Gmatyok

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Jun 28, 2024
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Do you change your sight tape completely or just have mental notes of where you’re hitting ?


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dkime

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Feb 25, 2015
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Do you change your sight tape completely or just have mental notes of where you’re hitting ?


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One sight tape from July in Alaska through February in the gulf. I shoot a relatively heavy arrow going a very moderate speed. 515/270ish. My best advice would be when you travel check your “zero” at 40/50yds, if there is a discrepancy (again I am not attributing any of this to DA for archery projectiles) then adjust your “zero” for that 40/50ish yard range. The delta between your previous zero at closer ranges will be negligible. And it will allow you to still be effective at further ranges. As stated in S2H “we miss because we suck” and more importantly bow systems as a whole suck. Peep shadows have a greater impact on my zero than any environmental conditions I’ve experienced.(for hunting) You just can’t isolate the effects temperature have on strings and cables enough for me to believe DA has any measurable effect.

I have yet to use precision cut, probably won’t. I’ve got a very good system of manipulating Archers advantage to create perfect tapes. But having said that, it takes a lot of manipulation and I haven’t found a software that creates good enough tapes without me lying to it.

This pertains strictly to tipping over animals, if you’re not establishing and adjusting marks whilst traveling to target archery then frankly you don’t have much to worry about with these things either.


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Marshfly

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Sep 18, 2022
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Missoula, Montana
You guys don’t have to do all this sight tape stuff. Just back out your limb bolts slightly until your bow shoots to your pins again. Pretty simple.
 

Gmatyok

FNG
Joined
Jun 28, 2024
Messages
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You guys don’t have to do all this sight tape stuff. Just back out your limb bolts slightly until your bow shoots to your pins again. Pretty simple.

That’s a good idea, never thought of that


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